Health Tip: Understanding Heel Pain

When your heel starts to hurt, even walking can be difficult and incredibly painful.

The American Podiatric Medical Association says possible causes of heel pain include:

• Heel spurs, which are bony growths that develop on the heel.
• Inflammation of the fascia, known as plantar fasciitis.
• Excessive pronation, or inward tilt of the foot as you walk.
• Achilles tendinitis, in which the tendon at the back of the foot becomes inflamed.
• A deformity, injury or chronic disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis.